Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Oct 2023)
A novel experimental design for free energy from the heat-gaining panel using multi-thermoelectric generators (TEGs) panel
Abstract
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) panel is used to produce electrical energy by converting thermal energy into electrical energy depending on the temperature differences (ΔT) between the two sides of the panel, which can generate electrical power over 24 h for different climate conditions (hot, cold, wet or dry). The TEGs panel was designed using Solidworks and the prototype of the TEGs panel was carried out in this study for practical testing and evaluation. The TEGs panel performances and the limitation, including parameters such as power generation, efficiency, response time was studied. In this study, the TEGs panel was exposed to sunlight and cubic ice to consider temperature variations throughout the day. The results showed that the TEGs panel generates electric powers of 8.04437 W and 80.40171 W during the cubic ice and sunlight tests, respectively, for temperature differences (ΔT) of 18 °C and 3.3 °C. The electric power from this test can be used to charge a small mobile phone. It was indicated that the theoretical results by the MATLAB program are closely resemble the laboratory results. Furthermore, the correction ratio for the power of MATLAB validation was 6.59%, while the correction ratio for the efficiency was 5.46%. The response time of the system was ranged from 2 to 6 min, which it is indicating the time needed for the TEGs panel to respond effectively to changes in temperatures. After incorporating the correction ratios from MATLAB simulation, the results showed that the maximum electric power and a maximum efficiency (η) are 57.44 W and 13.5%, respectively, when the temperatures difference (ΔT) reaches 70 °C. This study presents a prototype of a versatile power generator (TEGs panel) offers free energy which can be utilising in insulation of building walls and power generation at the same time.
